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Route Guide:
The train departs from Newark which features a unique two-level boarding system. Arriving
PATH trains use the upper level of the station (on the third floor) and departing trains use the main level of the
station (the second floor). This allows arriving passengers easy access to most of the platforms below by way of
staircases or ramps. It also allows departing passengers easy access to the PATH trains from the main eastbound
platforms of Penn Station.
Immediately after the train departs, you will cross the Passaic River on the massive "Dock
Bridge". This is another unique structure in that it supports one level of NJ Transit and Amtrak trains and two
levels of PATH trains. After the bridge, a large steep ramp slopes down towards Harrison station, the first
stop.
The Harrison platform is somewhat narrow and has wooden side walls with a wood canopy over
most of the station. The two PATH tracks here are on either side of the main Northeast Corridor Amtrak and NJ
Transit line which passes through the station but does not stop.
Soon after the train departs Harrison, you'll pass one of PATH's maintenance complexes on the
right side. This is also home to a large train yard for storing their cars. Still the tracks in this area straddle
the main northeast corridor tracks with the eastbound track being on the south side and westbound track being on the
north side. On the left is interstate 280, a major highway through Newark. Between the highway and the westbound
PATH track is the three-track Morris & Essex Lines of NJ Transit.
Eventually, the two PATH tracks come together and the northeast corridor line veers off to the
north. You will soon pass under two massive elevated highway bridges of the NJ Turnpike eastern and western spurs.
Just after this, the PATH tracks run parallel to a large freight yard. NJ Transit's meadows maintenance complex can
be seen just to the north of this yard. On your right is the large Pulaski Skyway, stretching several miles over
both the Hackensack and Passaic Rivers.
After a high-speed stretch of track, you'll cross the Hackensack River on the "Hack Bridge".
To your left, you'll see a low freight train bridge and a bridge carrying traffic on NJ Route 7. These bridges
frequently open to allow ships to access the coal power plant on the Hackensack River to your left.
After the bridge, the train slows as it enters western Jersey City. The right of way quickly
becomes a large cut with rock visible on the right side of the train.
After a short distance through the cut, you'll enter the Journal Square yard and see the large
concrete arch bridge of Journal Square in the foreground. Above it, the Journal Square Transportation Center
building looms. Journal Square station is located under the large concrete arch bridge and structure of the
building and plaza beyound. As such, it is about 3 stories underground, although it's open to the elements on both
sides.
The 33rd Street train is located across the platform for easy transfers to midtown Manhattan.
This train will continue towards downtown Manhattan.
After departing Journal Square, you will once again travel through a large cut. This time,
rock is visible on both sides of the tracks. A still in use freight track runs parallel to the PATH tracks on the
north side. To your right, you will eventually see another PATH maintenance complex. Large concrete roadway
bridges pass over the tracks about 30 feet above.
As the tracks come out of the cut, they almost immediately descend into the portal of the
underground portion of PATH. A curve in the tunnel immediately after entering aligns the tracks with Columbus Drive
above. Soon you'll enter Grove Street.
Grove Street is an underground station with a single island platform and an exit on either
side of the platform. It's a very simple station, but is also very busy. As the train leaves Grove Street, it will
pass over a series of switches where the Journal Sq - 33rd St line diverts from this line and another set of
switches shortly after where the Hoboken - World Trade Center line joins this line.
After a relatively slow trip through these tunnels, you'll arrive in Exchange Place. Exhange
Place consists of two separate very deep tunnels connected by two cross passages. The station is located nearly 70
feet below ground. The station has the most modern appearance of all PATH stations. This station is located
directly on the waterfront of Jersey City.
After leaving Exchange Place, the train accelerates to make the journey under the Hudson River
to the World Trade Center. After crossing the river, the train winds its away around the basement of the World
Trade Center to reach the station located about 50 feet underground. | 
